Study Desk

My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life.

Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day—not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.

Alexander the metalworker did many harmful things against me. The Lord will punish him for what he did.

That faith and that knowledge come from the hope for life forever, which God promised to us before time began. And God cannot lie.

They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.

We should live like that while we wait for our great hope and the coming of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

He gave himself for us so he might pay the price to free us from all evil and to make us pure people who belong only to him—people who are always wanting to do good deeds.

This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.

Our people must learn to use their lives for doing good deeds to provide what is necessary so that their lives will not be useless.

because I hear about the love you have for all God's holy people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.

But because I love you, I am pleading with you instead. I, Paul, an old man now and also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,

am pleading with you for my child Onesimus, who became my child while I was in prison.

In the past he was useless to you, but now he has become useful for both you and me.

I wanted to keep him with me so that in your place he might help me while I am in prison for the Good News.

But I did not want to do anything without asking you first so that any good you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you.

Maybe Onesimus was separated from you for a short time so you could have him back forever—

I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back, and I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life.

So, my brother, I ask that you do this for me in the Lord: Refresh my heart in Christ.

One more thing—prepare a room for me in which to stay, because I hope God will answer your prayers and I will be able to come to you.

Epaphras, a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you.